Analysis

"Anton Zingarevich last watched Reading in the Championship on 17 August. As someone who sat next to him watching every minute of every training session during the pre-season tour of Portugal, I can only describe his non-attendance in the last four months as unscheduled and alarming.

"It has become increasingly obvious Sir John Madejski continues to be the glue holding the club together."

Madejski admitted he did not know when Zingarevich would return to Reading but said he was not concerned about their future involvement.

"He has a great affection for the club but I do not know when he will be back to be honest," he added.

"I am not concerned about the Zingarevich family. They support Reading and will continue to do so in the future."

The Berkshire businessman also added that funds would be available to the manager Nigel Adkins in January, but said it would be a "combination" of his and Zingarevich's money.

Adkins himself said he was unconcerned about the uncertainty surrounding the future ownership of the club and was fully focused on steering Reading to promotion this season.

"What will transpire will transpire," Adkins told BBC South Today.

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Adkins coy on takeover talk

"Whatever happens at the football club, around the football club, will take care of itself."

Promotion to the top flight in 2012 earned the Royals an estimated £90m, with half that money coming from television-related revenue.

However, the club were relatively frugal when strengthening the squad for the Premier League.

In total, they spent less than £10m in attempting to cement their status, with the £2.4m purchase of Adrian Mariappa from Watford their biggest outlay.

Relegation last season meant the club missed out on the new £5bn global television deal, which would have earned them upwards of £100m, but Reading will still receive in excess of £60m over a four-year period in parachute payments.

BBC links

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